Narration by Joe Arden & Savannah Peachwood
Chestnut Springs, Book 4
From the author:
He’s scorching-hot trouble wrapped up in a drool-worthy package. And he’s looking at her like she might be his next meal.
Theo Silva. Rowdy bull rider. Notorious ladies’ man. Winter Hamilton knows exactly what it means when he eyes her like that. But she’s almost free of her toxic marriage and has sworn off men entirely. So all she sees when she looks back at Theo is temptation served up with a heaping side of heartbreak. The man is hard to trust–but, it turns out, even harder to resist.
Make that impossible. Because Theo is persistent. And no matter how hard Winter tries to freeze him out, he melts her icy exterior and pulls apart all her defenses. Over a drink in a small-town bar, she finds herself blurting out her deepest, darkest secrets. Then, she spends the singular hottest night of her life with the man she never thought she’d say yes to.
He worships her body. He makes her blush. She comes alive beneath his hands. Then she tells him to forget it ever happened. She wants simple, and with him it all feels complicated.
It was supposed to be a one-time thing. A secret.
But that little plus sign is going to make this secret impossible to keep.
We first met Winter in Flawless as Summer’s cold, distant sister. Their relationship has always been strained, and despite wanting to reconnect, neither has been able to bridge the gap. When Winter’s marriage begins to unravel, she retreats to Chestnut Springs, hoping proximity might help her rebuild her bond with Summer. Newly free from a toxic marriage, Winter has sworn off men—until she meets the irresistible Theo Silva.
The narrators here really brought these characters to life and had me invested from the start. Considering I didn’t like Winter much in Flawless says a lot, and her redemption arc here is phenomenal. Even tropes I don’t always love—surprise pregnancy, secret baby, one-night stand—completely worked for me. The miscommunication hurts, but it adds real weight to the story.
This story is deeply emotional, raw, and authentic, with a strong focus on self-discovery, acceptance, and love. Beneath Winter’s icy exterior is a vulnerable, distrustful woman who has never believed love was meant for her. Getting her point of view makes everything click—her walls, her distance, her pain. Watching her slowly open up, rebuild relationships, especially with Summer, and grow into herself is genuinely moving. Her relationship with her daughter Vivi is especially tender and grounding.
Theo, meanwhile, is everything. Known as a playboy, he sets out to become someone worthy of Winter—not just any woman, but her specifically. He’s charming, funny, and fiercely loyal. He never pushes, never plays games—he simply shows up, consistently, with patience and care. His love for Winter, and his immediate devotion to Vivi once he learns the truth, is genuinely heart-melting. The pain of the months he unknowingly missed with his daughter is palpable.
Theo is a mama’s boy, a loyal brother, and a man who never pressures Winter but quietly earns his place in her life. Winter, often labeled an ice queen, is actually a woman who has never known unconditional love. Her strength, her guardedness, and her fierce devotion to Vivi make her easy to root for. Theo sees her—truly sees her—in a way no one else ever has.
The found-family elements shine, especially Theo’s sweet, welcoming mother. The epilogue is everything—no unnecessary third-act breakup, just payoff and warmth. Their dynamic is electric—equal parts tension, playfulness, and emotional depth. Nothing about their relationship feels rushed; it builds naturally, with Theo proving himself every step of the way. Together, they create something that feels real: a family built on trust, healing, and choice.
It’s funny, emotional, messy, romantic, and very hot. One of the most unexpectedly moving reads—and easily a standout in the series.
Time for the last book of the series, Hopeless.
5/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
RECKLESS by Elsie Silver. Narrators: Joe Arden & Savannah Peachwood. Self-published. (June 10, 2023). ASIN: B0C5F3Q8QV. Listening Length: 9 hours and 58 minutes.
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